Sight mount enabling inverted mounting of firearm sighting device

ABSTRACT

A sight mount base having longitudinally spaced base sections defines an intermediate space or recess within which the downwardly facing Horus reticle adjustment knob of an inverted optical sighting device is received. The sight mount base may have independent, spaced base sections, each being releasably mounted to the accessory mount rail of the firearm or may be a unitary base structure machined to define an intermediate recess or receptacle within which the Horus reticle adjustment knob is received. The spaced base sections may be interconnected by a structural bridge so that the sight mount base is in the form of an integral structure. Inverted positioning of the optical sighting device eliminates the presence of upwardly projecting obstructions.

RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

Applicant hereby claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/460,543 filed on Jan. 4, 2011 by Mark C. LaRue and entitled “Sight Mount Enabling Inverted Mounting Of Firearm Sighting Device”, which Provisional Patent Application is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to firearms and particularly to shoulder fired firearms that employ optical sighting devices and other similar sighting devices having a Horus reticle for vertical sight adjustment and a horizontal reticle for horizontal sight adjustment to accommodate windage and horizontal sight misalignment. More particularly, the present invention concerns sight mounting devices enabling “inverted” mounting of optical firearm sighting devices so that a reticle adjustment knob of the sighting device projects downwardly toward the receiver of the firearm rather than facing upwardly according to conventional positioning of such sighting devices. The present invention also concerns sighting devices for tactical shoulder fired firearms, such as M-16 and AR-15 rifles, that are typically provided with accessory mounting rails, such as the Picatinny or Weaver rails, to which sight mount devices are clamped or otherwise attached. Rifles and similar firearms may also employ other sight mounting systems, to which the present invention is readily adaptable.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is the conventional practice in the firearm industry, especially for tactical firearms, to provide one or more sight mounting devices that can be mounted to a sight rail or other attachment point that is typically fixed in substantially parallel or slightly angled relation with the bore of a firearm barrel. Optical sight mounts, typically referred to as telescopes, have a Horus or vertically oriented internal reticle and an adjustment mechanism for vertical adjustment to accommodate changes in elevation. The Horus reticle adjustment mechanism is generally in the form of a rotary knob that can be manually turned for selective adjustment by the user of the firearm. For purposes of firearm use by military and law enforcement personnel, and also by sportsmen for hunting and target shooting, the Horus reticle has a central aim point at the intersection of a horizontal or windage reticle and a vertical or elevation reticle. Rather than require the shooter to rotate the reticle adjustment knobs after target distance and wind speed and direction have been determined, the reticle is incrementally marked so that rifle adjustment can be easily accomplished by positioning the reticle on intended target so that desired reticle marks appear to be superposed on the target, thereby compensating for windage and elevation, and ensuring bullet strike precisely on the target. Depending on the type of reticle that is desired, the reticle is typically marked with indicators of incremental aiming, typically in mils, both above and below the horizontal reticle to enable a user to adjust the position of the rifle for elevation and windage, using the reticle marks rather than mechanically adjusting the position of the reticle within the telescope.

Typically an optical sighting device is positioned on a firearm such that one reticle adjustment knob is oriented vertically and projecting upwardly, and one reticle adjustment knob is oriented horizontally. Typically the Horus reticle adjustment mechanism is positioned so that it's adjustment knob faces upwardly. Because the Horus reticle adjustment knob of the sighting device faces upwardly, it is typically considered an impediment if additional accessories are intended to be installed above an optical sighting device. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a mount for an optical sighting device that permits the optical sighting device to be mounted on a rifle, so that the typically upwardly projecting reticle adjustment knob projects downwardly toward the receiver of the rifle. To accomplish this desired feature, the mount for securing the optical sighting device to a firearm must be designed to permit inverted positioning of the optical sighting device so that the downwardly facing reticle adjustment knob is positioned clear of any structure that defines the upper portion of the rifle and is located within a receptacle or pocket that is defined by sight mount components. Moreover, the mount structure must permit manual rotational adjustment of the downwardly projecting reticle adjustment knob of the inverted optical sighting device, as needed.

Many tactical rifles and other firearms are provided with sight mounting rails, as mentioned above, to facilitate ease of mounting sighting devices and other accessories. If a telescope is intended to be mounted in inverted fashion, with a reticle adjustment knob facing downwardly, the mount base and the mounting rail typically interfere with such inverted mounting, unless the sighting device is widely spaced above the receiver and barrel of the firearm. Such mounting is of course undesirable since the user of the firearm would not be able to comfortably look through the sighting device, without using a large riser on the gunstock. However, for mounting accessories above the optical sighting device it is desirable to eliminate or minimize the upwardly projecting obstructions of the firearm receiver and assessory mounting rail so that the other accessories can be mounted in closely spaced relation above the optical sighting device, if desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a novel sight mount system for mounting optical sighting devices and other accessories to a mounting rail of a firearm, with the optical sighting device positioned such that its Horus reticle adjustment knob projects downwardly, thus leaving the upper portion of the sighting device relatively free of any upwardly projecting obstructions;

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a novel sight mount system for mounting optical sighting devices and other accessories to a firearm mechanism and permits inverted positioning of an optical sighting device so that the downwardly projecting Horus reticle adjustment knob is positioned within a receptacle or recess that is defined by the sight mount system and can be rotationally adjusted as needed; and

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a novel sight mount system for inverted mounting of optical sighting devices and other accessories, which incorporates a clamping type mount device having an elongate mounting base or spaced base sections each having a rotational locking lever mechanism for locking the mounting base or base sections to a mounting rail and with the intermediate portion of the mount base defining a receptacle or recess that receives the downwardly projecting adjustment knob of a reticle adjustment mechanism, and thus presents an optical sight mechanism that is free of any upwardly projecting obstructions.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a novel sight mount system for inverted positioning of a telescope on a firearm, which can employ a two-piece mount base system or a single unitary mount base system that permits a reticle adjustment knob of an optical sighting device to be oriented to project downwardly toward the firearm, rather than being oriented at its typical upwardly projecting position.

Other and further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon a thorough review of the apparatus and method that is disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings are incorporated as a part hereof.

It is to be noted however, that the appended drawings illustrate only a typical embodiment of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing a part of a tactical firearm and optical sighting device and showing a lever actuated clamping mount system that is secured to the accessory mount rail of the firearm and further showing the optical sighting device being inverted so that a reticle adjustment knob thereof projects downwardly into a receptacle or recess that is defined by the mount system; and

FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration showing parts of the firearm and optical sighting device of FIG. 1 and also showing the inverted position of the optical sighting device relative to the firearm, mounting rail and mount system; and

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a single integral mount base structure having spaced base sections that are connected by a structural bridge, and defines a receptacle within which a downwardly projecting reticle adjustment knob is received.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a firearm mechanism generally at 10 having an accessory mount rail 12 mounted thereto or provided thereon and generally forming the upper surface portion of the firearm. The accessory mount rail 12 is mounted or fixed to the upper portion of the receiver 14 of the firearm and, if desired, extends forwardly of the receiver where it may form an upper part of a hand-guard structure 16. The hand-guard 16 surrounds and is spaced from the barrel of the firearm to minimize communication of cartridge gas generated heat from the barrel to the hand-guard. The hand-guard of a tactical firearm is formed of cast or machined metal and defines opposed, laterally projecting hand-guard mounting flanges 18 that are secured by a plurality of mounting bolts or screws 19 to corresponding opposed laterally projecting mounting flanges 20 of the receiver 12. The hand-guard is typically gripped by one hand of the user of the firearm during use of the firearm and must be protected from excessive heat that might cause discomfort and/or burns to the user's hand, especially during conditionsof rapid or sustained fire.

To enable optical sight device positioning with the Horus reticle adjustment knob 22 of the optical sighting device 24 projecting downwardly, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, longitudinally spaced sight mount base sections 26 and 28 are each provided with lever actuated cam energized clamping mechanisms 30 and 32, respectively, that releasably secure the respective mounting base section to the mounting rail 12. The lever actuated cam energized clamping mechanisms 30 and 32 are each constructed and function according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,904 C1, but may have other forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The longitudinally spaced sight mount base sections 26 and 28 define a receptacle or space 34 therebetween. The receptacle or space 34 is of sufficient dimension to receive the downwardly projecting reticle adjustment knob 22 so that its lower end surface is disposed in spaced relation with the upper ribbed surface of the accessory mounting rail 12. This feature enables manual rotational adjustment of the downwardly projecting reticle adjustment knob 22 as needed. The windage reticle adjustment knob 36 will be horizontally oriented as before, though it will project to the opposite side of the firearm and sight mount when the optical sighting device is inverted.

A pair of scope ring assemblies 38 and 40 are preferably mounted to the longitudinally spaced sight mount base sections 26 and 28 by means of mounting screws or any other suitable means for secure attachment. If desired, the lower scope support portions 37 and 39 may be integral with the respective mount base sections 26 and 28. Upper, semi-cylindrical retainer cap portions 41 and 43 of the scope ring assemblies define substantially horizontally oriented joints 45 and 46. The lower portion of the scope ring assemblies define U-shaped cradles within which a cylindrical portion of a sighting device is positioned. This feature permits a telescope or other sighing device to be moved linearly and downwardly to the position shown in the drawings. The mount base portions and the scope ring assemblies are each designed to permit the lower surface region of the Horns reticle to be disposed in closely spaced relation with the upper surface of the accessory mount rail 12. This feature permits a sighting device to be mounted as low as possible, relative to the upper surface of the firearm or its mounting rail, and yet permits the user of the firearm to easily accomplish rotational adjustment of the downwardly projecting reticle adjustment knob 22. Mounting screws 42 are employed to secure the ring assemblies in retaining relation about the cylindrical circumference of the intermediate, typically cylindrical portion of the telescope tube of the optical sighting device 24.

Though the longitudinally spaced sight mount base sections 26 and 28 are shown to be independently mounted to the mount rail 12 by the lever actuated cam energized clamping mechanisms 30 and 32, it is to be born in mind that the spaced base sections may be connected with one another by means of a structural bridge 48, as shown in FIG. 3. This feature permits the base structure to be in the form of an integral, one piece structure rather than a two piece base assembly, for more efficient assembly of the optical sight mount system to a firearm. If desired, a single elongate mount base may be provided, as shown in FIG. 3, which has an intermediate structural bridge portion 48 that interconnects the spaced base sections 26 and 28. The spaced base sections and the intermediate structural bridge 48 define a single mount base unit that is formed by machining, casting, molding or any other suitable process. The intermediate structural bridge 48 is arranged to provide an intermediate recess or receptacle 50, between the spaced mount base sections 26 and 28, within which the downwardly projecting reticle adjustment knob 22 of the inverted telescope is received. The receptacle 50, between the base sections 26 and 32, will be of sufficient dimension that the structure of the mount base is not in contact with the reticle adjustment knob 22 and thus does not interfere with manual rotational adjustment of the reticle adjustment knob.

In view of the foregoing it is evident that the present invention is one well adapted to attain all of the objects and features hereinabove set forth, together with other objects and features which are inherent in the apparatus disclosed herein.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A firearm sight mount permitting inverted positioning of a firearm sighting device having a reticle adjustment knob and a windage reticle adjustment knob on a firearm having an upper portion, comprising: a sight mount base having a first base section and a second base section disposed in longitudinally spaced relation and defining a receptacle therebetween, said sight mount base being mounted to the upper portion of the firearm; and sight ring assemblies projecting upwardly from each of said first and second base sections and supporting a cylindrical portion of an inverted optical sighting device with a reticle adjustment knob projecting downwardly and positioned within said receptacle and in closely spaced relation above said upper portion of said firearm.
 2. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said upper portion of said firearm being an accessory mount rail having upwardly facing spaced lands and grooves and defining clamping surfaces; and lever actuated clamp mechanisms being mounted to each of said first and second mount base sections and releasably clamping said first and second mount sections to said clamping surfaces of said accessory mount rail.
 3. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: an accessory mount rail being disposed in fixed relation with said firearm and defining said upper portion of said firearm; and said sight ring assemblies supporting said cylindrical portion of said inverted sighting device with a reticle adjustment knob positioned in closely spaced relation with said accessory mount rail and being free for manual rotation for reticle adjustment.
 4. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said sight ring assemblies each being defined by substantially horizontally split ring sections; and fastener members securing said substantially horizontally split ring sections in gripping assembly with said cylindrical portion of the inverted sighting device.
 5. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said first and second base sections being independent base structures positioned in longitudinally spaced relation and defining said receptacle therebetween.
 6. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said first and second base sections being positioned in longitudinally spaced relation and being interconnected by a structural bridge member that is positioned to define said receptacle between said first and second base sections.
 7. A firearm sight mount permitting inverted positioning of a firearm sighting device having a reticle adjustment knobs on a firearm having an upper portion defining an accessory mount rail having spaced lands and grooves and having clamping surfaces, comprising: a sight mount base having a first base section and a second base section disposed in longitudinally spaced relation and defining a receptacle therebetween, said sight mount base being mounted to the accessory mount rail; at least one lever actuated clamp mechanism being mounted to said mount base and having releasable clamping relation with said accessory mount rail; and sight mount ring assemblies projecting upwardly from each of said first and second base sections and supporting a cylindrical portion of an inverted optical sighting device with a reticle adjustment knob of the optical sighting device projecting downwardly and positioned within said receptacle and being disposed in closely spaced relation above said accessory mount rail.
 8. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 7, comprising: said sight ring assemblies each being defined by substantially horizontally split ring sections; and fastener members securing said substantially horizontally split ring sections in gripping assembly with said cylindrical portion of the inverted sighting device.
 9. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 1, comprising: said first and second base sections each being independent base structures positioned in longitudinally spaced relation and defining said receptacle therebetween; and a lever actuated clamp mechanism being mounted to each of said first and second base sections.
 10. The firearm sight mount mechanism of claim 7, comprising: said first and second base sections being positioned in longitudinally spaced relation and being interconnected by a structural bridge member that is positioned to define said receptacle between said first and second base sections. 